Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Urgent petition spreads to demand Japanese government not sell submarines to Australia

Network Against Japan Arms Trade (NAJAT)
called for an urgent petition demanding that “the Japanese government not sell
submarines to Australia!” and the campaign is spreading as it has gathered more
than 9,000 signatures. NAJAT plans to submit them to the government on April
15.

The following is from the appeal:

What has
emerged suddenly as the first major initiative of arms export by the Abe
administration is the export of submarines to Australia. Japan has entered the
bid this year with Soryu-type submarines over the 12 submarines, which
Australian government is planning to introduce, against arms industries of
Germany and France. Not to mention, a submarine is nothing other than weaponry
equipped with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. If the public-private sector
consortium won this bid to build submarines, Japan would be taking a step into
working as ‘a merchant of death.’ Raise your voice so that we can keep Japan as
a state that refuses to export weapons and to keep ‘Made in Japan’ synonymous
with peace industries.